The Football Association will investigate Southampton’s ‘spy network’ scandal

The Football Association confirmed it had launched an investigation Southampton in relation to the ‘spygate’ scandal which dumped them out of the Championship play-offs.

Southampton’s appeal against their relegation and being stripped of four points for next season was rejected on Wednesday, meaning Middlesbrough will instead face Hull City in the play-off final at Wembley on Saturday.

The Saints have admitted to spying on Middlesbrough training ahead of the semi-final, with performance analysis intern Will Salt spotted at Boro’s training ground. Southampton won the semi-final 2-1 on aggregate but, after also admitting to spying on the training sessions of Oxford United and Ipswich Town, were kicked out of the EFL.

Southampton appealed on the grounds that the punishment was « manifestly disproportionate », but that claim was rejected by the league’s Arbitration Panel.

And on Thursday, an FA spokesman said: « We will now be investigating and will not comment further until we have assessed the evidence. »

Salt, Southampton manager Tonda Eckert and technical director Johannes Spors are among those expected to face disciplinary action from the FA and could face bans.

Meanwhile, in an Instagram post, Southampton winger Leo Sienza expressed his horror at the episode.

« Disappointment, anger, sadness… It’s hard to find the right words for what we’re all feeling right now, » he wrote.

« What happened in the last few days is heartbreaking… for the club, for every player in this dressing room and above all for our supporters. A moment like this should never end the way it did.

« I feel sorry for every football fan and for the players and supporters of Hull and Boro who were also caught up in all this chaos.

« We gave everything for this dream. Day after day, sacrifice after sacrifice, always believing that we can get this club back to where it belongs. For me, the dream of playing in the Premier League was something I fought for with everything I had. That’s why this pain cuts so deep.

« The hardest part is realizing how much our fans deserved this moment. You stood behind us all season with incredible passion, loyalty and faith. Even in the most difficult moments, you led us forward.

« Thank you for sticking with us through it all, you definitely deserved more. »